Maternal and Infant Health AssessmentSupporting the Mental Health of California Mothers

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This report provides data on the prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms, receipt of mental health screening, and receipt of and barriers to treatment among women and other birthing people, based on the Maternal and Infant Health Assessment, a population-based survey of women and other birthing people in California.

Key findings

• One in three women experience anxiety or depression symptoms during or after pregnancy in California, and anxiety symptoms are more common than depression symptoms.
• Birthing people who experience stressors during pregnancy, such as low income, food insecurity, or worry about mistreatment due to racism, have higher rates of anxiety and depression symptoms.
• Screening for mental health conditions is associated with higher rates of maternal mental health treatment. In 2020-2021, only half of Californians were screened both during and after pregnancy.
• Although providers in California are required to universally screen birthing people, those at higher risk of poor mental health, such as women who are low-income, young, or Black, are less likely to be screened after pregnancy than are their counterparts.
• Nearly one-third of birthing people report needing help for emotional well-being or mental health concerns during or after pregnancy, and only about half of those who reported needing care received care from a doctor or mental health professional.
• The most common barriers to receiving mental health care reported by birthing people are feeling like they could handle their mental health concerns on their own, being too busy, and not knowing where to go for care.

Experiencing depression or anxiety symptoms is very common during and after pregnancy, impacting over one-third of birthing people

Percentage of birthing people in California who experienced depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms, or either depression or anxiety symptoms during or after pregnancy, 2020-2021

• Depression symptoms, 21.9%
• Anxiety symptoms, 28.0%
• Depression or anxiety symptoms, 34.6%

Source: Maternal and Infant Health Assessment, 2020-2021

Potential strategies to improve maternal mental health outcomes

• Continue efforts to improve the social and economic conditions that create stress and contribute to depression and anxiety symptoms.
• Improve mental health literacy, specifically increasing knowledge about and reducing the stigma surrounding maternal mental health conditions and treatment options.
• Ensure respectful, judgment-free screening at the frequencies recommended by best practices and timely follow-up care when needed.
• Increase the numbers and types of care options and ensure adequate insurance coverage for mental health screening and treatment.